Chapter VI: Will You?

She was silent, her heartbeat rapid. They were after her. She pleaded internally that they couldn't hear her breathing, see her hiding place behind the tree.

"I know you're here darling..." she shivered at the teasing tone of his voice. "I can hear you breathing."

His steps grew closer and closer to her hiding spot. She held her breath, awaiting the steps to come nearer or fade. To her delight, his steps grew softer and softer until they were too distant to hear. When she saw no sign of him, she scurried out of the woods and back to the open meadow. But little did she know that three little ones were waiting for her.

"There she is! Get her!" She heard a young voice yell. As the first water balloon was thrown her way, Alisa screamed playfully, gladly missing it. As she ran over a nearby hill, she stood her ground, awaiting Michael and his minions.

"We're gonna get you ‘Lisa!" She heard Zeke say before appearing over the hill.

"Oh no you won't!" She threw her ammo at him and Zeke screamed, now soaked.

"Bulls-eye!"

Zeke dramatically stretched himself out on the grass, playing dead. Alisa was after Michael. She'd challenged him after he'd bragged about his water fight winning streak. She was determined to change that.

"You won't win Michael!" She said dramatically. "I'll get you if it's the last thing I do!"

"It's three against one, my dear." Michael smirked. "I believe it is I who has the upper hand."

"Make that two!" As she spoke, Alisa hurdled another balloon, her target now young Katie. She shrieked as it popped on her side.

"I'm hit!" Katie coughed, falling to the grassy ground like her fellow companion Zeke. Michael and Sean glanced at each other before looking towards Alisa, slight fear hinted in their expressions. Alisa held yet another balloon in her grasp, awaiting their next move. With a single nod to each other, both Sean and Michael threw a water balloon at Alisa. Quickly, she ducked, missing them both. The partners in crime groaned. Impulsively, Sean came running with another water balloon in hand but instinctively, the 23 year old splashed him with the water at the bottom of her bucket, soaking the oldest boy from head to toe.

"No!" he screamed, dropping to the grass on his knees in a puddle. "She...she got me Mike." He said in a faux hoarse tone. "You're on...your own."

It had become a showdown. Michael and Alisa stood only yards away from each other, but stood tall and confident. Only two balloons left, Alisa knew she had to make this count to beat him once and for all.

"You know," She began, "When we first started this challenge, I said four against one was completely unfair. But it was pretty easy."

"You took out my minions, but you won't beat the master." Michael said in dramatic tone.

"Watch me." With threat said, Michael threw a balloon; to his dismay, Alisa was too quick and he missed. One was left in his grasp.

"Only one balloon left Michael?" Alisa teased. "You think that's enough to defeat me?"

"I don't think you should be saying much, considering that's all you have."

"Baby, that's all I need." Michael shivered at the sound of her playful vixen tone. It sounded confident, victorious and it almost made him feel that he would come out defeated.

Almost.

As she prepared for his next move, juggling her last balloon, Michael's eyes scanned the meadow and he smirked. Idea.

With a speedy, mischievous wink, all of Eastpine Meadow's sprinklers were triggered, spraying Alisa and the young ones that lied on the grass in faux death.

"Michael!" she gasped, now soaked. Michael guffawed, screaming as Alisa's last water balloon exploded on his chest. Alisa joined in on his loud, obnoxious laughter as she observed the excitedly barking Skipper, who had hopped on his back legs, dancing through the mist. The kids happily joined the happy pup, spinning around arms wide open. Michael grabbed Alisa's hands, forcing her to spin around with him. Faster and faster they went, until Alisa grabbed onto Michael's waist, halting their spins and looking him deep in the eye.

"You cheated." She whispered.

"All's fair in love and war." He whispered back, sweeping her away in a tender kiss.

"Gross!" Sean exclaimed.

"Come on guys!" Zeke groaned.

"Stop making kissy face!"

"Get a room!"

"How romantic..." Katie sighed. "Are you guys gonna get married?"

Alisa froze. "I...well- no-

"As a matter of fact we are." Michael interrupted, putting his arm around her, surprising her.

"Oh really?" She asked. "So where's my ring?"

Michael chuckled. "I'm working on it. I can't find a diamond more beautiful than you."

"You always know what to say don't you?"

"When it comes to you. As I said before, anything to keep that smile on your face."

"Aw," She kissed him. "You're sweet."

"Sweet on you." He nuzzled his nose into her cheek, leaving a peck, making her giggle like a little girl.

"Guess we should start heading back; get out of these wet clothes."

"You could always bring the kids to my place," Michael suggested, "It's a bit closer. We could always have dinner, watch a movie. I can order some good take out..."

 "That actually sounds nice, but we don't have a change of clothes."

"I'm sure I have something." He said, "It'll be a bit big, especially for the kids, but it's only for tonight."

"Well okay. To Michael's house, little munchkins." Alisa announced.

"Cool, let's go!" Zeke said, running through the meadow and over the bridge with Sean and Katie.

"Zeke, remember what I said bout running!" Alisa yelled out.

Michael chuckled. "You worry too much."

"Maybe you worry too little." She shrugged.

"Touché, my dear." Michael said, nuzzling his face into the nape of her neck, loving the sound of her giggle.

***

Michael unlocked the door to his brownstone apartment, turned the light switch, allowing Alisa and the kids to enter before he. Alisa's eyes scanned Michael's place, curious to lay her eyes on everything. They always say you could tell things about a person by how their place looked. And from how things were, Alisa could tell Michael had a bit of a child's heart. Though, she could see that without having seen his place now that she thought about it. On his coffee table, was a small stack of lined paper that had been drawn on with an opened bag of Skittles, he had many bookshelves at filled with various genres of books. One bookshelf held a collection of VHS tapes, most of them Disney films, and atop it was a huge bowl of candy. Alisa guessed Michael had a bit of a sweet tooth. A couple of his walls held works of art; one painting was of the New York City skyline, lit up at night, and another was of a World Fair of some sort. Alisa giggled at the sight of a toy train riding around on the track in the hallway.

"Please forgive the mess," Michael said embarrassed, cheeks red.

"It's not so bad. I've seen worse. I like it, it's homey."

"Stop lying."

"Me? I do nothing of the sort." She mocked dramatically.

Michael laughed. "You always know how to make me feel better."

"It's a gift." She pecked his lips.

"So, how's Chinese for dinner?"

"Chinese sounds great." The two gasped as they heard something fall to the floor. A tower of papers once stacked near the coffee table had been scattered across the living room floor, thanks to Zeke.

"Zeke, what have I told you about touching things that don't belong to you?" Alisa said sternly.

"Sorry ‘Lisa," the young boy said with his head down, "Sorry Michael."

"Aw, no worries little man. It was an accident, no harm done." Michael began picking up the papers and Alisa assisted him. As she picked them up one by one, one in particular caught her eye. It was a poem, and although she didn't want to be nosy, her eyes couldn't help but skim the lines as she fast-read:

Heaven Can Wait

Tell the angels no
I don't wanna leave my baby alone,
I don't want nobody else to hold you
That's a chance I'll take
Maybe I'll stay,
Heaven can wait...

It took her time to try and read the messy handwriting, but she got the hang of it after a couple lines. The words written were beautiful. As Michael finished grabbing the rest of the papers, looking up to thank her, he froze as he saw Alisa reading his writing. It wasn't the fact that she was reading that bothered him, but he scolded himself for leaving out that particular piece; something he hadn't wanted her to see.

"Alisa-

She gasped; she knew she'd been caught. She put the poem with her stack of collected papers and quickly handed them over to Michael. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have been snooping-

"No, no it's fine. You just weren't supposed to see it until it was done."

"Michael...are you saying that poem was for me?"

Before Michael could answer, loud music busted out of Michael's stereo, forcing Michael and Alisa to cover their ears. The two glanced towards the noisemaker, where the three troublemakers were sheepishly smiling as they turned it down a notch.

"We didn't think the music would be so loud." Sean shrugged. The mixtape in the stereo played Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody and after moving some of the furniture, the kids began dancing in the living room as if it were a dancefloor. Michael and Alisa laughed at the kids crazy moves, but felt compelled to join them. Michael grabbed Alisa to the "dance floor" shaking his hips and twirling Alisa by her hand.

"Michael, what are you doing?" She giggled, shaking her head.

"What does it look like?" He smirked.

"You're so silly." Michael danced around her in a circle and bit his bottom lip as she bumped their hips together, grabbing her hands again.

"You know you wanna dance with me."

"I can't dance."

"Come on Allie, sure you can! You just gotta put some effort into it." She smiled bashfully, the only thing ringing in her head was his new nickname for her. Allie.

"What're you so smiley about?" He asked her.

"Shut up and teach me how to dance." He moved her arms around until both of them were swaying.

"See you can do it. Now move your hips like mine." Michael exaggerated his hip movements until she followed. "See? You got it!"

He grabbed her waist, putting her hand on his shoulder, forcing her to quick step around the room. She laughed loudly as Michael made her try different dances with him and he twirled and dipped her, surprising her. He was a terrific dance partner. Alisa soon felt a tug at the end of her dress, looking down at young Sean who bowed politely, holding out his hand for Alisa. She let go of Michael and curtseyed before she began dancing with Sean. Michael took Katie for a dance while Zeke danced in the center, lip-synching the woman's lyrics.

As the song came to an end, Michael called in the take-out and gave Alisa and the munchkins a change of clothes. Michael had to laugh because they each looked like they'd shrunk, wearing clothes that were five times bigger than them. He rolled up the cuffs on the T-shirts and slacks, but it didn't help much if at all. As for Alisa, Michael liked seeing her wearing his clothes. It made their relationship seem much more...intimate, as if they'd been dating for forever. Though to Michael, it was forever. Each day he saw Alisa, it was as if he'd been granted eternity in her. He knew he was falling for her, and he was falling fast and hard.

The take-out was soon delivered and Michael and Alisa cuddled on the couch together as they ate, the kids each sat on a pillow on the living room carpet, sharing a large blanket while they ate from their containers. He'd let them choose from his movie collection and wasn't too surprised when they'd chosen a compilation tape of Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoons. It was one of their favorites to watch with him in the very small number of times they'd come to visit his home. While on the couch, eyes still glued to the TV screen, Michael intertwined he and Alisa's hands again. She just smiled; ever since their first date when they'd held hands, the empty spaces between Michael's fingers felt empty without hers. He'd always want to hold hands every minute they were together, but Alisa didn't mind. It was a constant reminder that he was real and that it wasn't all just a cruel dream.

As the episodes of cartoons flew by, so did the kids' consciousness. Zeke, Katie and Sean all fell asleep, cuddling their parts of the blanket they shared. Alisa couldn't help but giggle as she and Michael observed them for a moment: Sean snoring, Zeke stretched out like a snow angel, and Katie clutching her teddy bear as always. Michael threw away their trash as Alisa tended to her motherly duties, kissing each of them goodnight and making sure they were all fully covered. She turned off the TV and continued to observe them, imagining what kind of dream each child was enduring. She soon felt a strong, familiar hand cover her shoulder and she smiled, covering the hand with her own.

"Come on, let's let them sleep." He whispered in her ear, taking her hand and walking them out of the living room and into the hall.

"Where are we going?" She asked curiously.

"There's something I wanna show you." He stopped at the first door that creaked softly as he opened it. He turned to her with a smile. "Welcome to my music room."

The first thing Alisa noticed as Michael allowed her to enter was the variety of music paraphernalia that decorated the room. Posters of James Brown, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder and even Diana Ross were hanged up, leaving no sign of the wall behind it. A sleek, black piano stood on one side of the room while a record player was on the other.

"Wow," she muttered to herself, still looking around. Stacks of vinyls were scattered across the desk that was also covered with similar looking composition books and pieces of written on lined paper. One of the books was open, with the same messy writing Alisa had seen earlier.

"Yeah, I spend a lot of time in this room. You know, when I'm not with you or the munchkins. But this isn't really what I wanted to show you."

"What is it really?" He reached over to his desk and grabbed the opened composition book.

"This...is my music journal. One of my many. But this one... this one is the most special to me."

Before Alisa could ask why, Michael handed her the book -but not before closing it- so she could see for herself. With a single nod of approval from him, Alisa opened up to the first page, immediately reading the title that was capitalized at the top.

ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE

You are the promised kiss of springtime
That makes the lonely winter seem long
You are the breathless hush of evening
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song

You are the angel glow that lights a star
The dearest things I know are what you are
Someday my happy arms will hold you
And someday I'll know that moment divine
When all the things you are, are mine

You are the angel glow that lights a star
The dearest things I know are what you are
Some, some, some, some someday my happy arms will hold you
And someday I'll know that moment divine
When all the things you are, are mine, yeah, yeah

All the things you are, are mine
All the things you are, come to mine
Som day my happy arms will hold you
All the things you are, come to mine

Michael slowly paced back and forth, waiting for her to say something, anything. He wanted to hear what she thought, if she liked them or not, but felt himself growing childishly impatient. The tension he was feeling was killing him; she was his inspiration, her opinion meant everything to him. What Michael didn't see what Alisa's smile; with every page, the smile only grew wider and wider.

Cinderella Stay Awhile. It's the Falling in Love. P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing). Baby Be Mine. The Lady in My Life. Even the song he'd serenaded her with on their first date was written there in the book. For All Time, it was titled. Each song was written with the most beautiful and charming lyrics Alisa eyes had ever heard in any song or read in any book. They were all so good, she couldn't even choose which was her favorite; each song she'd read was better than the last.

"You wrote all of these?" She'd asked him, breaking the silence. Michael immediately stopped his pacing and turned to her with a silent nod.

"So...what do you think?"

"What do I think?" She repeated, not paying attention as she read onto the next page entitled The Way You Make Me Feel.

"I mean...if you don't like them, I'll understand."

His comment brought Alisa back to reality. "Huh?"

"I-I said if...you know, if you don't like them-

"Don't like them? Michael I love them, how could I not?"

He grinned. "You do?"

"They're the most beautiful, witty, thoughtful lyrics I've ever read. So lovely, I didn't know you were such a romantic." She didn't notice Michael blushing beside her. "They make me feel... they make me feel- oh I can't describe it! It's such an indescribable feeling- but it's a good feeling, don't get me wrong!"

Michael laughed. "I'm glad you like them-

"Love them, Michael, I love them." She emphasized.

"Okay, I'm really glad you love them. Your opinion is the only one that truly matters."

"Why is that?" She asked clueless, going back to reading The Way You Make Me Feel.

"Because...because I wrote them for you."

She stopped reading. She stopped breathing, stopped everything.

I wrote them for you.

 She repeatedly processed his sentence, turning to him, mouth slightly agape. Her shock made Michael want to laugh; he thought she was so cute when she was confused, like an innocent young girl.

"You-you wrote-

"Yes. All of those songs- and more- are about you Allie. You're my inspiration."

"But...but Michael, we've only been seeing each other for a short time."

"Almost a month to be exact." He said confidently. "Allie, it's not about the length of time you see someone, but the feelings you feel and how strong those feelings are."

"And you've...been feeling all this?" He nodded. She turned to the open book in her hands. "They're such beautiful songs."

"All about a beautiful girl. A beautiful girl with a heart of gold...a girl I'm crazy about." She looked away from him, face glowing red. He gently took his journal out of her grasp and lied it back on the desk. Before Alisa could protest, she noticed a sparkle in Michael eyes, his usual mischief but with a kind of seduction threaded in. Whenever Michael gazed at her, she was easily entranced like a fly to a bug zapper, a man to a siren's song. She lost all thought and unspoken words in the process.

He snapped a couple times, stepping over to her and began to walk around her in a circle and she'd followed his eyes, never leaving them as he began to sing:

"Hey pretty baby with the high heels on, you give me fever like I've never ever known." He sang softly, sensually, taking Alisa's hands and making her body sway with his. He let go of one hand, twirling her ever so slowly as he continued, "You're just a product of loveliness. I like the groove of your walk, your talk, your dress."

He wrapped his arms around her, his chest connecting with her back as their gaze grew more intense; but Alisa continued to stay silent, hypnotized by Michael's voice. He was definitely a siren when it came to singing to her. Their bodies swayed together as one, but he kept on. "I feel your fever from miles around, I'll pick you up in my car and we'll paint the town. Just kiss me baby and tell me twice. That you're the one for me; the way you make me feel, you really turn me on. You knock me off of my feet, my lonely days are gone."

Alisa gulped nervously. She'd never known the lyrics she'd just read only moments ago could sound so amorous, yet arousing at the same time. She felt a tingling inside her so brand new, so unfamiliar. But that tingle, that single spark electrified her as Michael connected his lips with her own. Like his song, the kiss was slow, gentle, and sensuous. Alisa was hooked to Michael's soft and minty taste while wrapped in his manly aroma. She caressed his jaw line as he parted from her, connecting their foreheads. She panted loudly from the lack of breathing, feeling that Michael had literally taken her breath away.

"Oh Michael-

He silenced her with another soft peck. "I have something for you."

He reached into his pocket, taking out a small, velvet blue box.

"What is it?" She asked curiously.

He chuckled. "Open it and find out."

And she did. As she raised the top, she gasped as her eyes lied on a heart-shaped locket, engraved with floral designs. And in the center, was a small diamond star.

"It's beautiful..." She muttered, caressing the pendant.

"Open it, read what it says." She pulled it out of the box, and the locket opened it with a soft click. There on one side, was a picture of Michael smiling and it made the corners of her lips turn upward. As she looked to the other side, she read aloud the engraved inscription.

"'My Peter?'" She read confused, turning to Michael for an explanation.

"It's an insider...about me and you. I have one too, but mine says ‘My Wendy.'"

"Peter...and Wendy." Alisa realized. Michael took her hand.

"Alisa...I like you, I hope you know that."

"Yes..."

"And I hope you like me, the way I like you."

She smiled. "Yes, Michael...I do very much."

"Then Alisa, will you take this gift and let us have something magical? Will you let me be your Peter and you my Wendy? Will you be my girl?"

Her heart jumped with joy. In one question- well, three small ones- Michael had made her biggest wish come true. He wanted to be her one and only, her handsome prince, her Peter Pan and she, his Wendy. Tears of happiness welled in her eyes.

"Oh Michael, yes. Yes yes a million times yes, of course I will!" She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly and he returned it. Grinning widely, Michael said, "Let me put it on you."

Alisa turned, pulling her hair up, beaming as she felt the cold silver locket rest on her chest and take its new home there. She watched Michael put his locket around his own neck and hug her once more. He caressed her cheeks, admiring her bright eyes, his fingers grazing her soft lips.

"My beautiful Wendy." She giggled, resting her arms on his chest, gazing at him lovingly.

"My handsome Peter." She stroked the side of his jaw. "Kiss me."

And he proceeded to take her breath away once more.